U.S. patent number 11,124,385 [Application Number 16/181,562] was granted by the patent office on 2021-09-21 for elevator access systems for elevators.
This patent grant is currently assigned to OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY. The grantee listed for this patent is Otis Elevator Company. Invention is credited to Sebastien Fougeron, Valerie Mauguen, Gerard Sirigu.
United States Patent |
11,124,385 |
Mauguen , et al. |
September 21, 2021 |
Elevator access systems for elevators
Abstract
Elevator access systems and methods including a key extension
having a first portion arranged to engage with a key and a second
portion and an access mechanism. The access mechanism includes an
extension engagement element arranged to receive and fixedly engage
with the second portion of the key extension and an opening element
operably connected to the extension engagement element such that
operation of the extension engagement element causes operation of
the opening element.
Inventors: |
Mauguen; Valerie (Sully sur
Loire, FR), Fougeron; Sebastien (Lorris,
FR), Sirigu; Gerard (Gien, FR) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Otis Elevator Company |
Farmington |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
(Farmington, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
60409251 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/181,562 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190135583 A1 |
May 9, 2019 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Nov 8, 2017 [EP] |
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17306542 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66B
5/0087 (20130101); B66B 13/16 (20130101); B66B
13/02 (20130101); B66B 9/00 (20130101); B66B
5/005 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B66B
5/00 (20060101); B66B 13/02 (20060101); B66B
9/00 (20060101); B66B 13/16 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
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2947254 |
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FR |
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541255 |
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2500979 |
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2516821 |
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20060036381 |
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11015895 |
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Jan 2017 |
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Other References
Machine Translation of FR 2947254. cited by examiner .
European Search Report, European Application No. 17306542.6, dated
Jun. 4, 2018, European Patent Office; European Search Report 9
pages. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Tran; Diem M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cantor Colburn LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An elevator access system comprising: a key extension having a
first portion arranged to engage with a key and a second portion;
and an access mechanism having: an extension engagement element
arranged to receive and fixedly engage with the second portion of
the key extension; and an opening element operably connected to the
extension engagement element such that operation of the extension
engagement element causes operation of the opening element, wherein
the access mechanism further comprises a securing element and the
key extension comprises a stop, wherein when the key extension is
inserted into the access mechanism the securing element engages
with the stop to prevent removal of the key extension from the
access mechanism.
2. The elevator access system of claim 1, further comprising a
housing, wherein at least the extension engagement element and the
opening element are housed within the housing.
3. The elevator access system of claim 1, wherein the key extension
comprises at least one protrusion and wherein the access mechanism
includes at least one locking groove, wherein when the key
extension is operated within the access mechanism the at least one
protrusion moves within the at least one locking groove to prevent
removal of the key extension after operation of the access
mechanism.
4. The elevator access system of claim 1, wherein the access
mechanism is installed in a landing door lintel of an elevator
system.
5. The elevator access system of claim 4, further comprising: a
landing door pin operably connected to a landing door lock of the
elevator system; and the access mechanism further comprises a
blocking element arranged to prevent relocking of the landing door
lock.
6. The elevator access system of claim 5, wherein the access
mechanism has a first state in which the access mechanism does not
interfere with operation of a landing door lock of an elevator
system, a second state wherein the opening element operates to
unlock the landing door lock, and a third state wherein the
blocking element blocks movement of the landing door pin toward a
locked position.
7. The elevator access system of claim 1, wherein the second
portion includes an engagement aperture wherein the engagement
aperture is arranged to provide secure and operable engagement
between the key extension and the extension engagement element.
8. The elevator access system of claim 1, wherein the opening
element is integrally formed with the extension engagement
element.
9. An elevator system comprising: an elevator shaft with an
elevator car moveable within the elevator shaft; and a plurality of
landings along the elevator shaft, each landing having a landing
door; and an elevator access system installed at at least one of
the landing doors, the elevator access system comprising: a key
extension having a first portion arranged to engage with a key and
a second portion; and an access mechanism installed in a landing
door lintel of the elevator system, the access mechanism having: an
extension engagement element arranged to receive and fixedly engage
with the second portion of the key extension; an opening element
operably connected to the extension engagement element such that
operation of the extension engagement element causes operation of
the opening element; a landing door pin operably connected to a
landing door lock of the elevator system; and a blocking element
arranged to prevent relocking of the landing door lock.
10. The elevator system of claim 9, further comprising a housing,
wherein at least the extension engagement element and the opening
element are housed within the housing.
11. The elevator system of claim 9, wherein the key extension
comprises at least one protrusion and wherein the access mechanism
includes at least one locking groove, wherein when the key
extension is operated within the access mechanism the at least one
protrusion moves within the at least one locking groove to prevent
removal of the key extension after operation of the access
mechanism.
12. The elevator system of claim 9, wherein the access mechanism
further comprises a securing element and the key extension
comprises a stop, wherein when the key extension is inserted into
the access mechanism the securing element engages with the stop to
prevent removal of the key extension from the access mechanism.
13. The elevator system of claim 9, wherein the access mechanism
has a first state in which the access mechanism does not interfere
with operation of a landing door lock of an elevator system, a
second state wherein the opening element operates to unlock the
landing door lock, and a third state wherein the blocking element
blocks movement of the landing door pin toward a locked
position.
14. The elevator system of claim 9, wherein the second portion
includes an engagement aperture wherein the engagement aperture is
arranged to provide secure and operable engagement between the key
extension and the extension engagement element.
15. The elevator system of claim 9, wherein the opening element is
integrally formed with the extension engagement element.
16. A method of unlocking a landing door of an elevator system, the
method comprising: inserting a key extension into an access
mechanism of an access system, wherein insertion of the key
extension engages the key extension with an extension engaging
element of the access mechanism; operating the key extension to
transition the access system from a first state to a second state,
wherein in the first state the access mechanism does not interfere
with operation of a landing door lock of the elevator system and
the transition from the first state to the second state unlocks the
landing door lock; and operating the key extension to transition
the access system from the second state to a third state, wherein
in the third state the access mechanism prevents the landing door
lock from returning to a locked state.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising attaching a key to
the key extension to enable manual operation of the key extension.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of European Application No.
17306542.6, filed Nov. 8, 2017, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to elevator
systems and, more particularly, to access systems and devices for
locks and access to elevator shafts for elevator maintenance.
Elevator systems include locking mechanisms that are useable by
mechanics, technicians, and other authorized persons. The locking
mechanisms can be part of lintels or door columns or traps inside
the car of the elevator systems and thus may be easily accessible
by anyone. However, it may be required by safety regulations and/or
advantageous to prevent access to and/or operation of the elevator
locking mechanisms at certain times (e.g., when a technician or
mechanic is performing a maintenance operation) or when authorized
access is not proper. Accordingly, devices that prevent access to
the elevator system locking mechanisms may be desirable.
SUMMARY
According to some embodiments, elevator access systems are
provided. The elevator access systems include a key extension
having a first portion arranged to engage with a key and a second
portion and an access mechanism. The access mechanism includes an
extension engagement element arranged to receive and fixedly engage
with the second portion of the key extension and an opening element
operably connected to the extension engagement element such that
operation of the extension engagement element causes operation of
the opening element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include a housing, wherein at least the extension engagement
element and the opening element are housed within the housing.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the key extension comprises at least one
protrusion and wherein the access mechanism includes at least one
locking groove, wherein when the key extension is operated within
the access mechanism the at least one protrusion moves within the
at least one locking groove to prevent removal of the key extension
after operation of the access mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the access mechanism further comprises a securing
element and the key extension comprises a stop, wherein when the
key extension is inserted into the access mechanism the securing
element engages with the stop to prevent removal of the key
extension from the access mechanism.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the access mechanism is installed in a landing
door lintel of an elevator system.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include a landing door pin operably connected to a landing door
lock of the elevator system and the access mechanism further
comprises a blocking element arranged to prevent relocking of the
landing door lock.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the access mechanism has a first state in which
the access mechanism does not interfere with operation of a landing
door lock of an elevator system, a second state wherein the opening
element operates to unlock the landing door lock, and a third state
wherein the blocking element blocks movement of the landing door
pin toward a locked position.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the second portion includes an engagement aperture
wherein the engagement aperture is arranged to provide secure and
operable engagement between the key extension and the extension
engagement element.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator access systems
may include that the opening element is integrally formed with the
extension engagement element.
According to some embodiments, elevator systems are provided that
include any of the elevator access systems described herein. The
elevator systems include an elevator shaft with an elevator car
moveable within the elevator shaft and a plurality of landings
along the elevator shaft, each landing having a landing door. The
elevator access systems are installed at at least one of the
landing doors.
According to some embodiments, methods of unlocking landing doors
of elevator systems are provided. The methods include inserting a
key extension into an access mechanism of an access system, wherein
insertion of the key extension engages the key extension with an
extension engaging element of the access mechanism, operating the
key extension to transition the access system from a first state to
a second state, wherein in the first state the access mechanism
does not interfere with operation of a landing door lock of the
elevator system and the transition from the first state to the
second state unlocks the landing door lock, and operating the key
extension to transition the access system from the second state to
a third state, wherein in the third state the access mechanism
prevents the landing door lock from returning to a locked
state.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as
an alternative, further embodiments of the methods may include
attaching a key to the key extension to enable manual operation of
the key extension.
The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various
combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated
otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation
thereof will become more apparent in light of the following
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the following description and drawings are intended
to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly
claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an elevator system that may
employ various embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a landing floor of an
elevator system with a hall call panel that may employ various
embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a lock of an elevator system
that can incorporate embodiments of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an access system of an
elevator system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a key extension in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6A illustrates a first state of an access system in accordance
with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 6B illustrates a second state of the access system shown in
FIG. 6A;
FIG. 6C illustrates a third state of the access system shown in
FIG. 6A;
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an access system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of an access system in
accordance with the present disclosure, in the third state; and
FIG. 9 is a flow process of an access operation for unlocking and
opening a landing door of an elevator system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elevator system 101 including an
elevator car 103, a counterweight 105, a roping 107, a guide rail
109, a machine 111, a position encoder 113, and an elevator
controller 115. The elevator car 103 and counterweight 105 are
connected to each other by the roping 107. The roping 107 may
include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables,
and/or coated-steel belts. The counterweight 105 is configured to
balance a load of the elevator car 103 and is configured to
facilitate movement of the elevator car 103 concurrently and in an
opposite direction with respect to the counterweight 105 within an
elevator shaft 117 and along the guide rail 109.
The roping 107 engages the machine 111, which, in this illustrative
embodiment, is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system
101, although other arrangements are possible without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. The machine 111 is
configured to control movement between the elevator car 103 and the
counterweight 105. The position encoder 113 may be mounted on an
upper sheave of a speed-governor system 119 and may be configured
to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator
car 103 within the elevator shaft 117. In other embodiments, the
position encoder 113 may be directly mounted to a moving component
of the machine 111, or may be located in other positions and/or
configurations as known in the art.
The elevator controller 115 is located, as shown in the
illustrative arrangement, in a controller room 121 of the elevator
shaft 117 and is configured to control the operation of the
elevator system 101, and particularly the elevator car 103. In
other embodiments the controller 115 can be located in other
locations, including, but not limited to, fixed to a landing or
landing door or located in a cabinet at a landing. The elevator
controller 115 may provide drive signals to the machine 111 to
control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of
the elevator car 103. The elevator controller 115 may also be
configured to receive position signals from the position encoder
113. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft 117 along
guide rail 109, the elevator car 103 may stop at one or more
landings 125 as controlled by the elevator controller 115. Although
shown in a controller room 121, those of skill in the art will
appreciate that the elevator controller 115 can be located and/or
configured in other locations or positions within the elevator
system 101.
The machine 111 may include a motor or similar driving mechanism.
In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine 111
is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power
supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power
grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to
the motor. Although shown and described with a roping system,
elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving
an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of
the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is merely a non-limiting example
presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an elevator system 201 that
may incorporate embodiments disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 2,
an elevator car 203 is located at a landing 225. The elevator car
203 may be called to the landing 225 by a passenger or mechanic 227
that desires to travel to another floor within a building or
perform maintenance on a portion of the elevator system 201. In
some situations, the mechanic 227 may wish to lock a feature of the
elevator system, e.g., the elevator doors, an elevator trap, etc.,
such that the feature(s) cannot be opened or closed (e.g., to
prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the elevator system 201
or portions thereof). For example, such situation may arise when
the mechanic 227 wishes to access the elevator car and/or shaft to
perform maintenance. Such control or locking can be achieved by a
lock hole in a landing door lintel 229 of the elevator system 201
(which may be located at one or more landings 225). It may be
advantageous to prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the
lock and also enable access in a controlled manner. Accordingly,
embodiments provided herein are directed to access systems and
devices to enable locking/unlocking locks of elevator systems, the
systems securely preventing unauthorized access to the locks of the
elevator system.
For example, in some configurations, an access control module 200
(e.g., an emergency and inspection cabinet) can be located at one
or more landings 225 of the elevator system. The access control
module 200 can include one or more electrical and/or mechanical
components that are configured to enable control of and/or access
to an associated elevator system. For example, the access control
module 200 can include a specialized or unique access key or tool
("access device") for a mechanic or other authorized person to lock
and unlock various locks of the elevator system (e.g., lintel door
locks, etc.). The access control module 200 can thus enable a
mechanic or other authorized person (e.g., emergency personnel) to
access an elevator shaft or car for various reasons (i.e., open
landing doors).
Turning to FIG. 3, an access device 331 for use with a lock 333 of
an elevator system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure is shown. Although shown and described herein as a
key-type "access device," the term "access device" may refer to any
access key, tool, or other mechanism that can be used to
lock/unlock an elevator landing door. As shown, the lock 333 is an
elevator door lock located within a landing door lintel 329 or
landing door column of an elevator doorway. The access device 331
is configured to fit within an aperture or keyway of the lock 333.
Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the locks and keys
described herein are not limited to door locks, but rather may be
employed in any locks of elevator systems. For example, in other
configurations, the lock may be part of a door column or trap
inside an elevator car or may be a lock of other parts of elevator
systems. Thus, FIG. 3 is merely illustrative and not intended to be
limiting. The lock 333 can include access prevention devices or
mechanisms configured within the lock 333 to prevent the access
device 331 from entering the aperture of the lock 333. The access
device 331 is specifically designed for engagement and use with the
specific lock 333.
As provided herein, embodiments of the present disclosure are
directed to access devices that are arranged to prevent
unauthorized access to an elevator shaft. In accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure, removal of the typical
access (e.g., lock 333 and access device 331 shown in FIG. 3) on
all landing doors is achieved. Accordingly, landing doors cannot be
opened from the landing without a specific device, as described
herein. In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a
key extension is added to a typical key, thus enabling engagement
and operation of a lock at a landing door of the elevator system.
This key extension is attached to the key and can be introduced
into a hole in the landing door lintel (e.g., a modified keyway or
similar hole). Then, rotation of the key with the key extension
attached thereto will unlock the landing door. Once the key
extension has been used to unlock the landing door, the key
extension fixedly engages with the lock and cannot be removed
therefrom. Further, in some embodiments, the key extension
functions as a block to prevent the landing door interlock to
relock (e.g., prevents the landing doors from being reclosed). As
such, in some embodiments once the key extension is engaged in the
lock of the landing door lintel, the landing doors cannot be closed
mechanically or electrically.
Turning now to FIG. 4, an access system 400 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The access system
includes a key extension 402 and an access mechanism 404. The key
extension 402 is a separate component that can be brought to a
landing door of an elevator system by an authorized person (along
with bringing a key). The key extension 402 is configured to be
engaged with the access mechanism 404 and thus allow the key (not
shown) to operate access mechanism 404 and thus enable unlocking
and opening of a landing door of the elevator system.
As shown, the access mechanism 404 is housed in a landing door
lintel 406. A landing door pin 408 is part of a door opening
mechanism that is fixedly attached to a landing door that enables
opening and/or closing of the landing door. The access mechanism
404 is arranged to interact with the landing door pin 408 to open
and subsequently prevent closing of the landing door, as explained
herein. In FIG. 4, the landing door pin 408 is shown in a locked or
secured position that prevents manual opening of the landing doors.
The access mechanism 404 includes an extension engagement element
410, an opening element 412, and a blocking element 414. The
opening element 412 is fixedly connected or integrally formed with
the extension engagement element 410.
In operation, the key extension 402 can be inserted into a hole in
the landing door lintel 406 to securely engage with the extension
engagement element 410. A key can then be inserted into or
functionally connected to the key extension 402 and rotated to
operate the access mechanism 404. As the extension engagement
element 410 is rotated by operation of the key, the opening element
414 is rotated to contact and act upon the landing door pin 408. As
the landing door pin 408 is moved, the landing door is unlocked and
can be opened. As the landing door pin 408 is moved by the rotation
of the opening element 410, the blocking element 414 will move into
position to prevent the landing door pin 408 from moving back to a
locked or secured position. As such, after operation of the access
mechanism 400, the landing door cannot be locked again.
Further, in some embodiments, once operation of the key extension
402 is performed, the key extension 402 cannot be removed from
engagement with the extension engagement element 410. To achieve
this, the access mechanism 400 can include an optional securing
element 416 that is arranged to allow the key extension 402 to be
inserted into engagement with the extension engagement element 410
and then securely retains the key extension 402 therein. For
example, the securing element 416 can be formed from biased locking
springs, clips, or other similar structures that allow the key
extension 402 to be inserted into the extension engagement element
410, but then prevent removal of the key extension 402
therefrom.
Turning now to FIG. 5, an enlarged illustration of a key extension
502 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is
shown. The key extension 502 is arranged to engage with an access
mechanism, as described herein (e.g., engage with an extension
engagement element of an access mechanism). The key extension 502
includes a first portion 518 and a second portion 520, with the
first portion 518 being at or forming a first end of the key
extension 502 and the second portion 520 extending from the first
portion 518 toward a second end of the key extension. A stop 522
may, optionally, be located between the first portion 518 and the
second portion 520. In some embodiments, the stop 522 is arranged
to contact a portion of a landing door lintel when the key
extension 502 is inserted into a hole of the landing door lintel.
In other embodiments, the stop 522 may be arranged to engage with a
securing element of an access mechanism (e.g., securing element 416
shown in FIG. 4).
The first portion 518 is arranged to receive or operate with a key
(e.g., a triangular key), as will be appreciated by those of skill
in the art. The second portion 520 is arranged to fit into and
through a hole in a landing door lintel and to engage with one or
more components of an access mechanism and enable operation thereof
through rotation or other operation of the key that is engaged with
the first portion 518.
The second portion 520 includes an engagement aperture 524 that is
arranged, shaped, sized, or otherwise configured to enable
engagement with the extension engagement element of an access
mechanism. The engagement aperture 524, in some embodiments, may be
a shaped slot, groove, or other opening formed in the structure of
the second portion 520. The second portion 520 may optionally
include one or more protrusions 526. In some embodiments, the
protrusions 526 can aid in securing the key extension 502 into and
with an access mechanism. Further, in some embodiments, the
protrusions 526 can be arranged to engage or otherwise interact
with one or more elements of the access mechanism, such as enabling
contact and operation of one or more elements or components of the
access mechanism. The protrusions 526, in some embodiments, may
slide through slots of a landing door lintel and/or slots that are
part of the access mechanism, and once operated are positioned to
prevent removal of the key extension from the access mechanism. In
some embodiments, the engagement aperture 524 is arranged to
provide secure and operable engagement between the key extension
502 and an extension engagement element of the access
mechanism.
Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6C, a sequence operation of an access
system 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure is shown. FIG. 6A illustrates a first state of the
access system 600, wherein the access system 600 does not interfere
with normal operation of a landing door. In FIG. 6A, a key
extension 602 is shown engaged with an extension engagement element
610 of an access mechanism 604. FIG. 6B illustrates a second state
of the access system 600, wherein the access system 600 has been
operated to unlock a landing door lock. FIG. 6C illustrates a third
state of the access system 600, wherein the access system 600
prevents relocking of the landing door lock.
With reference to FIG. 6A, showing the first state of the access
system 600, the key extension 602 is inserted through a hole of a
landing door lintel 606 to engage with the extension engagement
element 610 of the access mechanism 604. As shown, the access
mechanism includes an opening element 612 and a blocking element
614, similar to that shown and described above. The opening element
612 is fixedly connected to or integrally formed with the extension
engagement element 610 such that operation (e.g., rotation) of the
extension engagement element 610 will cause the opening element 612
to operate (e.g., rotate) in tandem or therewith. As shown, the
opening element 612 of the access mechanism 604 does not contact or
otherwise interfere or block operation of a landing door pin 608
that is part of a landing door lock.
Turning now to FIG. 6B, the access system 600 is shown in a second
state, wherein the access mechanism 604 has been operated to unlock
a landing door lock by interacting with the landing door pin 608.
As shown, the opening element 612 has been rotated by rotation of
the extension engagement element 610, which in turn has been
rotated by operation of the key extension 602, which in turn has
been rotated by a key connected to the key extension 602. In
operation, as the opening element 612 is rotated from a position in
the first state (FIG. 6A) to a position as shown in the second
state (FIG. 6B), the opening element 612 contacts and applies force
to the landing door pin 608 to move the landing door pin 608 into a
position that unlocks a landing door lock, thus allowing for
opening of a landing door, and thus enabling access to an elevator
shaft.
FIG. 6C illustrates the third state of the access system 600. In
the third state, the blocking element 614 prevents the landing door
pin 608 from returning to the locked position (shown in FIG. 6A).
This is achieved during a transition from the second state (FIG.
6B) to the third state (FIG. 6C). As the opening element 612 urges
the landing door pin 608 into the unlocked state, the landing door
pin 608 is pushed past the blocking element 614. As the landing
door pin 608 is pushed past the blocking element 614, the blocking
element 614 will then move into a blocking position, as shown in
FIG. 6C. Accordingly, the blocking element 614 will prevent the
landing door pin 608 from moving back to a locked position, and
thus prevent relocking of the landing door.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a schematic illustration of an access system
700 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is
shown. The access system 700 is operable similar to that shown and
described above. In this embodiment, an access mechanism 704 is
housed within a housing 728. The housing 728 is mountable or
attachable to a landing door lintel 729 and/or can form a portion
thereof. The housing 728 includes a keyway aperture 730 to enable
insertion of a key extension 702 into engagement with an extension
engagement element 710 of the access mechanism 704. As described
above, the extension engagement element 710 is operably connected
to an opening element 712 and the access mechanism 704 includes a
blocking element 714 to operate as shown and described above. As
illustratively shown, the housing 728 includes at least one locking
groove 732 that is arranged to receive a protrusion of the key
extension 702 (e.g., protrusions 526 shown in FIG. 5). The locking
groove 732 is sized to enable the protrusion of the key extension
to move therein, and once the access system has been operated into
the third state (e.g., shown in FIG. 6C), the protrusions of the
key extension 702 will interact with locking groove 732 to prevent
removal of the key extension 702 from engagement with the extension
engagement element 710.
Turning now to FIG. 8, a schematic illustration of an access system
800 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is
shown. FIG. 8 is illustrative of the access system 800 in the third
state, wherein a portion of the access system prevents relocking of
a landing door lock. As shown, the access system 800 includes a
housing 828 that houses elements of an access mechanism, including,
but not limited to, an opening element 812 and a blocking element
814. As noted, in this illustration, the access system 800 has been
operated to the third state, wherein the opening element 812 has
urged a landing door pin 808 to move such that a landing door lock
834 is moved into an unlocked position. Further, as shown, the
blocking element 814 is moved into position to prevent movement of
the landing door pin 808 back into an unlocked position, thus
preventing the landing door lock 834 from relocking a landing
door.
Turning now to FIG. 9, an access operation 900 for unlocking and
opening a landing door of an elevator system in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The access operation
900 can be performed using the embodiments shown and described
herein and/or variations thereon.
At block 902, a key of an elevator system is attached to a key
extension. The attachment of the key to the key extension can be
between a first portion of the key extension and the key.
At block 904, the key extension is inserted into and engaged with a
portion of an access mechanism. For example, the access mechanism
can include an extension engagement element, as shown and described
above, that is shaped and sized to engage with a second portion of
the key extension. In some embodiments, the insertion of the key
extension into the access mechanism can include a locked or secured
engagement between the key extension and the extension engagement
element such that the key extension cannot be removed from the
extension engagement element once engaged therewith. In some
embodiments, blocks 902 and 904 can be reversed such that the key
extension is inserted into the access mechanism first, and then the
key is engaged with the key extension.
At block 906, the key is used to operate the access mechanism from
a first state to a second state to unlock a landing door lock. For
example, rotation of the key can rotate the key extension to which
the key is engaged. Rotation of the key extension will rotate a
portion of the access mechanism, such as an opening element, to
thus urge a portion of the landing door lock (e.g., a landing door
pin) from a locked position into an unlocked position.
At block 908, the access system, and the access mechanism thereof,
is operated from the second state to a third state to prevent the
landing door lock from relocking. For example, at block 908, a
blocking element of the access mechanism can move into a position
to block or prevent movement of the landing door pin from moving
back to a locked position. As such, the blocking element will
prevent relocking of the landing door. In some embodiments, when
the landing door pin is in the open position (as maintained by the
blocking element) not only is mechanical relocking of the landing
door prevented, but electrical locking of the landing door can be
prevented as well. For example, in some embodiments, when the
landing door lock is in the open/unlocked position, a safety chain
is broken, which prevents electrical locking of the landing door,
as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
In some embodiments, the secured engagement between the key
extension and the extension engagement element will prevent removal
of the key extension therefrom. Further, operation of the access
mechanism can move the blocking element into position to prevent
relocking of the landing door, and remain in such position. As
such, to reset the landing door lock, in some embodiments, the
entire access system may need to be replaced.
Advantageously, embodiments provided herein enable a secure
unlocking mechanism that may prevent unauthorized access to
elevator shafts. For example, in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure, a key extension is required to manually operate
the landing door lock and thus only persons having access to the
key extension, plus a key, are enabled to unlock a landing door.
Further, due to the secured engagement of the key extension with
the access mechanism, reuse of the key extension can be prevented.
In some embodiments, every landing of an elevator system can
include an access system as shown and described herein.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, a number less than all of the
landings of an elevator system may include such access systems. For
example, in one non-limiting embodiment, all landings but the first
or ground floor landing of an elevator system may include an access
system as described herein. In such arrangements, easier access to
an elevator shaft is enabled at the ground floor (e.g., for
maintenance in a pit or at the ground level), and more difficult
access, achieved through inclusion of access systems as described
herein. Thus, improper or unauthorized access to an elevator shaft
at floors or heights above the ground floor can be prevented.
As used herein, the use of the terms "a," "an," "the," and similar
references in the context of description (especially in the context
of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the
singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
specifically contradicted by context. The modifier "about" used in
connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has
the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree
of error associated with measurement of the particular
quantity).
While the present disclosure has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to
such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be
modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations,
substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent
arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate
with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Additionally,
while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present
disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.
Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by
the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the
appended claims.
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